If you consider yourself to be a real NES collector, the Aladdin Deck Enhancer needs no introduction to you. Already the NES-portion of your brain should open up an instant navigable description of which is probably somewhere along the lines of this: rare accessory made by Camerica; cart add-on to boost graphics and gameplay of supporting Aladdin game carts. Therefore since you assimilated all of the essential briefing ahead of time (or now you did.. I'm quite the astute "info dropper" aren't I?), this feature focuses on the other ins and outs that you want to know about the Aladdin.

As an added bonus, I will also be covering the system-bundled game Dizzy the Adventurer a bit too. Goody, goody gumdrops! What have you got to lose? I'll answer that for you, "NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY BRILLANT!" I extend now to the inner workings of this deck accessory and welcome you to keep on reading and click on the various pictures.

Deck Enhancer: hardware

Back of Box
Instructions
How Does it Work/Precauctions
Camerica Tip Line
Warranty Card
Dizzy foldout

Let us first get right into the thick of all things hardware-specific: the 'enhancer' adds 64k of memory onto the NES to create more detailed graphics, better and longer games, and a generally faster/cleaner gaming experience.

The add-on accessory works just like it were a Game Genie. The device accepts a compact-sized game (Aladdin) cartridge into the slot of the Game Genie-esque-lengthed deck. (And it fits nicely, too, just like a regular NES cart entirely inside of the NES.)

Famicom and regular cart comparison of deck w/ game attached

Production of Aladdin carts, thanks to the blueprint of the inventive deck, greatly cost less than regular non-Aladdin games thus raising the probability of a greater quanity of titles. However, because of legal trouble with Nintendo sharks and subsequent lawsuits, the company made a run for its money to Canada to only have a short-lived success in advertising their product there until it finally was removed off the market all together, bringing the great rarity of the item today at an unsurpassed high.

Insides of the deck enhancer
Made in the Philippines	Japan

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Original Packaging	Actual size of Dizzy rom

The games released for the Aladdin were: Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy, Big Nose Freaks Out, Linus Spacehead's Comic Crusade, Micro Machines, Quattro Adventure, and Quattro Sports.

Unreleased: Bee 52, Big Nose the Caveman, CJ's Elephant Antics, Dreamworld Pogi, F16 Renegade, Go! Dizzy Go!, Metal Man, Mig 29 Soviet Fighter, Stunt Kids, Team Sports Basketball, The Ultimate Stuntman.

Deck Enhancer: Camerica Expansion vs. Nintendo Expansion

Deck Enhancer: "I WANT ONE..NOW!"

Woah there, buddy. If you really want one now you'll have to pay top dollar for it. Mike Etler used to offer an excess of new Aladdin's priced at $80 bundled with all of the released Aladdin carts for some time before his stock eventually disappeared.

I managed to get a sealed deck for $60 some dollars on eBay about one week ago from writing this. Also by sheer luck, after later trading that unit, winded up paying $75 for a sealed Aladdin and all of the supporting games complete in box and all. The Fates are kind to me. You probably won't be so lucky. Still though, auction sites are your main target for the hardware and online NES retailers (such as VG Connections) for the compatible games.

Deck Enhancer: Meet Dizzy and his egg friends

Dizzy and his girlfriend, Daisy, were out searching for Pogie, their pet Fluffle. They discovered a secret entrance into Zaks' old castle but were unaware that the Evil Wizard was watching them through his crystal ball. In an attempt to catch Dizzy, he cast a spell on a spinning wheel in the West Tower. As Dizzy and Daisy entered the tower, they noticed that the spinning wheel was mysteriously turning. Unable to control her curiosity, Daisy approached the spinning wheel and accidentally pricked her finger and collapsed. Dizzy shook her in a vain attempt to waken her, but with no success. Suddenly Dizzy heard footsteps approaching. The door swung open and there stood Boris the Troll! Grabbing Dizzy he threw him into an underground prison. Is there any hope of escape for Dizzy? Is there any way to awaken Daisy from her endless sleep? The answers lie in Dizzy The Adventurer!

I once used to wonder about the large fan-base's sanity surrounding these 'Dizzy' video games. The graphics are seemingly bland, the character appears to be a generic throwaway from the DOS adventure games of yesteryears, and the "pick-up-items-to-win" game-play condition didn't seem to challenge the standard formula driven side-scrolling quests of the NES. In fact, this felt like it was again a step back in the wrong direction. Was I the only soul to see Dizzy as a lame unlicensed egg of boredom?

While progressing through the Aladdin's only bundled title, Dizzy the Adventurer; my opinion changed completely and it finally hit me. There's a special charm of the lil' eggman guy that many others have discovered before me.

Every one of us is guilty of judging a book (a person or thing) by its exterior cover at one point or another; but upon breaking the initial ice and finding Dizzy's hidden treasures, I now hold Dizzy the Adventure to be amongst the greatest of unlicensed games for the NES. It's just that good, really. The element of personality seen through the communication of each character you come across adds that much needed depth and fun that the other Dizzy NES games (which I unfairly misjudged the entire series on) missed out. Each person you meet talks a certain way, has his or her own style, and provides hints/items to help Dizzy on his journey to save Daisy.

The Eggy Bunch
	The Jester You first find the Jester in a gloomy mood. He tells you he has committed a crime. (Just the first of many awkward moments that soon follow.) Do you think it was absolutely necessary to make that statement or, better yet, appropriate? After returning his missing juggling balls, he will reward you with a joke book.
	Dylan Dylan is a groovy, mellow, hippy egg. He lives on growing plants, mushrooms, and fishing. His dazed and confused appearance also gives way to his a-little-too-unhealthy enjoyment of all of nature's gifts. Cannabis, genius.
	Grand Dizzy Would it be safe to say Grand Dizzy is Dizzy's grandfather? I know, this is some crazy logic I'm spewing forth! Grandy is shown as a wise and exceedingly ticked off cliche of a withered old (egg) man held up by a single slanted wooden cane. He plays a very insufficient role in the adventure.
	St. Peter And we all thought Wisdom Tree games were the only ones spiritually horrific! Saint Peter, just one of the few 'adult' situations, is missing his harp. You must fetch it for him.
	cont. Upon handing over his found harp, Peter gives you special cheese. Sounds reasonable enough to me. . Saint Peter makes beautiful music.. and cheese
	Dora Dora looks and talks like the village's egg slut. Excuse my harshness, but she really has no use in the game except for talking about kissing and coming onto Dizzy. "Baby, I gots a girl."
	Dude It's wicked! Most excellent even! This line alone pushed Dizzy the Adventurer onto a list of my favorite unlicensed games ever. Party on!
	Daisy Dizzy's main girl, Daisy, pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and that's what starts Dizzy on this big and heroic voyage to rescue his love from the hands of Zak (= mean/totally bad wizard).

The game's puzzles are original and interesting. My only crucial beef with Dizzy is within the very short length. Other than that, gamers with an open mind will have a damn fun time meeting the Yolkfolks and running errands for them to ultimately meet up with your one and only significant other of an egg. A funny, fresh, enjoyable, and short experience almost anyone will eat up (sort of like scrambled eggs). Try it out and you might just get hooked on the brother too.

Dizzy the Adventurer (Overall): 4/5

-animated pics submitted by Shmorky